Doctors have unveiled an AI-powered stethoscope that can detect major heart conditions in seconds, potentially transforming the way heart disease is diagnosed.
The device, developed by researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, can pick up signs of heart failure, heart valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms in just 15 seconds.
The stethoscope, first invented in 1816, has been a staple of medicine for more than 200 years. But this new upgrade, presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, uses artificial intelligence to analyze subtle changes in heartbeats and blood flow that the human ear can’t catch. It also takes a quick ECG at the same time.
Early diagnosis is critical. Patients who get treatment sooner are far less likely to suffer serious complications. In a UK trial involving around 12,000 patients from 200 GP surgeries, the AI stethoscope doubled the chances of detecting heart failure compared with standard care. It also made patients three times more likely to be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a dangerous heart rhythm disorder linked to strokes, and nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with heart valve disease.
“The design of the stethoscope has been unchanged for 200 years – until now,” said Dr. Patrik Bächtiger of Imperial College London’s National Heart and Lung Institute. “It’s incredible that in just a 15-second examination, AI can flag whether someone may have heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or heart valve disease.”
The device, built by California-based company Eko Health, is about the size of a playing card. It rests on the patient’s chest, recording both the sound of blood flow and the heart’s electrical activity. That data is then uploaded securely to the cloud, where AI algorithms analyze it. Within moments, results are sent back to a smartphone, showing whether the patient is at risk.
Like many AI tools, it comes with caveats. There’s a higher chance of false positives, meaning some people might be told they have a problem when they don’t. Researchers say it should only be used for patients with suspected heart issues, not for routine check-ups.
Still, the potential benefits are huge. “Most people with heart failure are only diagnosed when they arrive in A&E seriously ill,” said Dr. Mihir Kelshiker of Imperial College. “This technology could change that, giving GPs a fast and simple way to spot problems earlier.”
The research was part-funded by the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan of the British Heart Foundation said earlier diagnoses mean patients can “access the treatment they need to help them live well for longer.”
Prof. Mike Lewis of the NIHR called the device a “gamechanger,” adding: “The AI stethoscope puts innovation directly into the hands of GPs, helping them diagnose patients in the community and tackle some of society’s biggest killers.”
